Last weekend I was blessed with the opportunity to hang out with Pastor Dongo and learn about his fabulous non-profit organization for orphan children in Uganda ----> www.ugandabuymaba.com
beautiful, isn't it?
He self-founded Buyamba Orphan Outreach and God Cares Schools in Uganda and provides housing and schooling for those without families, without money, and truly without hope. His joy was contagious! As he shared his vision, his faith and trust in the GOD who lives, loves, and provides was so BIG. I was humbled. I feel so distracted by "things" and "responsibilities" here in the U.S. But when you have nothing (like in Uganda), your dependance on what really matters is so questioned and heightened, so purely and honestly. Faith like a child. beautiful. What I strive for.
Evan and I decided together to sponsor a 12 year old girl named Sylvia who lost her parents to AIDS and has no known relatives. We couldn't be more excited to give $35 a month to provide housing, schooling, food, and hope to this beautiful girl, spiritually and physically! We also can't wait for our first letter to be sent, delivered, and to hear back from her heart --- woo!
How about you --- do you have $35 a month laying around that you might consider investing in eternity with? Such a rad opportunity.
Think about it!
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Happy weekend!
This past week was very busy at work and I am so looking forward to the weekend!
One of my student's Italian father -- Italian, as in he imports olive oil from his own farm in Italy and sells it on the weekends -- shared this video with me. LEGIT.
If you are are Italian or have visited Italy I bet you can resonate with at least one of these. enjoy:
Ciao!
One of my student's Italian father -- Italian, as in he imports olive oil from his own farm in Italy and sells it on the weekends -- shared this video with me. LEGIT.
If you are are Italian or have visited Italy I bet you can resonate with at least one of these. enjoy:
Ciao!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
AAAND we're back...
It has been almost 6 months since I have blogged -- or rather, it has been 6 months.
A lot has gone on:
- I left China after 2 eye-opening years of teaching English
- I traveled for 3 amazing weeks through Switzerland, Italy, and France
- I came back to the USA!
- I moved back home with my fantastic parents
- I got a job! 2 jobs actually, working for the YMCA
- I am now an almost working adult. ha
My hope in 2011 is to improve my photography, improve my health, and improve my mind. Hopefully this blog will be a platform in which to do, share, discuss, and learn these things.
SO...to begin. A few photos from Europe:
Perhaps I will post more soon...
here's to blogging again!
A lot has gone on:
- I left China after 2 eye-opening years of teaching English
- I traveled for 3 amazing weeks through Switzerland, Italy, and France
- I came back to the USA!
- I moved back home with my fantastic parents
- I got a job! 2 jobs actually, working for the YMCA
- I am now an almost working adult. ha
My hope in 2011 is to improve my photography, improve my health, and improve my mind. Hopefully this blog will be a platform in which to do, share, discuss, and learn these things.
SO...to begin. A few photos from Europe:
Perhaps I will post more soon...
here's to blogging again!
Friday, July 2, 2010
In honor of the English language.
The school semester officially ended last Friday with games, candy, and breaking the news of my leaving in September to my kiddos. I am now on a 2 week break enjoying sleeping in, exercising, reading, preparing for summer school classes, cooking, cleaning, and of course, hanging out with Evan. :)
The sun has been shining, the sky has been blue, and my A/C is now fully functional with the arrival of summer's heat and humidity. It may sound silly...but I am so very thankful for air-conditioning! Especially having lived in sub-tropical countries!
In honor of finishing school and the sillyness that comes with teaching the English language, a video:
CLICK!!! -----> This hilarious video is what English sounds like to non-native speakers.
***Note: they are not speaking a language at all, just making sounds, so basically gibberish.
fab. and a good laugh.
Happy summer, everyone! 9 weeks left until my adventure to Europe and back to the US begins!
The sun has been shining, the sky has been blue, and my A/C is now fully functional with the arrival of summer's heat and humidity. It may sound silly...but I am so very thankful for air-conditioning! Especially having lived in sub-tropical countries!
In honor of finishing school and the sillyness that comes with teaching the English language, a video:
CLICK!!! -----> This hilarious video is what English sounds like to non-native speakers.
***Note: they are not speaking a language at all, just making sounds, so basically gibberish.
fab. and a good laugh.
Happy summer, everyone! 9 weeks left until my adventure to Europe and back to the US begins!
Friday, May 21, 2010
wow.
"I only love God as much as I love the person I love the least." - Dorothy Day
Think about that one for a while.
ouch.
Think about that one for a while.
ouch.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Spring weather, books, and learning grace.
May is halfway over here in southern China, and the summer warmth is slowly descending. The weather ranges from cloudy and dreary, to bursting sunshine and distant polluted clouds. The sky tries so hard to be blue and on some days, nearly succeeds, amidst the gray haze of pollution.
I do so miss sunshine and blue skies. I have concluded that I need it to survive - and not just for biological reasons (e.i. Vitamin D). It lifts my spirit, my being, my whole soul. A photograph of San Diego's Black's Beach cliffs covers my computer desktop at school, bringing memories of the beauty of home, a beauty I have come to appreciate being away.
I have been reading and have successfully finished several books:
"Boundaries"
"Soul Cravings"
"The Giver"
and I'm currently half-way through Yancey's "What's So Amazing About Grace?"
I feel so accomplished when turning the final page in a book, closing the back cover, and setting it back on the shelf. I feel accomplished doing some silly things like:
- making and crossing off lists (post-college life has made me a list-maker...)
- finishing glass jars of food. like almond butter. I find some sort of serious commitment when opening a glass jar of goodness and I don't like to see it go to waste.
- successfully completing a pilates workout, or yoga. ouch!
I have 6 weeks left of the school term and, while emotionally/mentally I am winding down, I'm trying to give my best and all these last few classes with my students. I was recently give the ENTIRE responsibility of teaching our summer school program, which began as an unreasonably huge request by my superiors. But with patience, prayer, and several conversations, there has been compromise and it will be doable. At the very least, it will be yet another learning experience for me - I'll be teaching the older grades, which I have never taught before, nor know the extent of their English knowledge,comprehension, or usage. Learn to swim by jumping in, right?
With each passing day I am hopeful for the future.
I am learning so much about grace.
about forgiveness.
about love.
about trust.
"There will be no escape from wars, from hunger, from misery, from racial discrimination, from denial of human rights, and not even from missiles, if our hearts are not changed." - Lance Morrow
Hoping for a changed heart as I leave China, to better show His grace and love to this broken world.
I do so miss sunshine and blue skies. I have concluded that I need it to survive - and not just for biological reasons (e.i. Vitamin D). It lifts my spirit, my being, my whole soul. A photograph of San Diego's Black's Beach cliffs covers my computer desktop at school, bringing memories of the beauty of home, a beauty I have come to appreciate being away.
I have been reading and have successfully finished several books:
"Boundaries"
"Soul Cravings"
"The Giver"
and I'm currently half-way through Yancey's "What's So Amazing About Grace?"
I feel so accomplished when turning the final page in a book, closing the back cover, and setting it back on the shelf. I feel accomplished doing some silly things like:
- making and crossing off lists (post-college life has made me a list-maker...)
- finishing glass jars of food. like almond butter. I find some sort of serious commitment when opening a glass jar of goodness and I don't like to see it go to waste.
- successfully completing a pilates workout, or yoga. ouch!
I have 6 weeks left of the school term and, while emotionally/mentally I am winding down, I'm trying to give my best and all these last few classes with my students. I was recently give the ENTIRE responsibility of teaching our summer school program, which began as an unreasonably huge request by my superiors. But with patience, prayer, and several conversations, there has been compromise and it will be doable. At the very least, it will be yet another learning experience for me - I'll be teaching the older grades, which I have never taught before, nor know the extent of their English knowledge,comprehension, or usage. Learn to swim by jumping in, right?
With each passing day I am hopeful for the future.
I am learning so much about grace.
about forgiveness.
about love.
about trust.
"There will be no escape from wars, from hunger, from misery, from racial discrimination, from denial of human rights, and not even from missiles, if our hearts are not changed." - Lance Morrow
Hoping for a changed heart as I leave China, to better show His grace and love to this broken world.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Happy Reasons.
Some simple happy reasons having Evan here is making my life so much richer:
1. I have someone to cook, eat, and clean up dinner with.
2. On his days off (which are usually mid-week days) he can go to the market for me so I don't have to go after a long day of work. woo!
3. He helps me clean my apartment. Note** I clean it weekly, but my roommate doesn't, so cleaning the whole place by myself takes hours and effort (and with only 1 day off a week, I'd rather not spend the whole day cleaning). With 2 people it's much faster! yes!
4. I have someone to ride the bus, taxis, rickshaws, motorbikes, and walk the streets with - not only is that much safer, but much more fun!
5. He can bargain cheaper public transportation prices than I can.
6. I have a co-teacher for the volunteer adult English class I teach at the Bible college once a week. It's so fun to teach together! The students laugh at us every week. :)
7. Hanging out with my male friends is less awkward, and it also opens doors to hang out with more couples, and people in general.
8. I have someone to bake cookies for - who will actually help me eat them. And cook pancakes, french toast, and Mexican food, who actually likes BEANS (sent with love from my parents).
9. I have support, encouragement, affirmation and am being challenged daily to live like Him by someone, in the flesh.
10. I have a friend daily, who I can talk to, laugh with, learn with, grow with, and strive to love this sometimes frustrating and difficult world with.
I am becoming more and more fond of the word "with." I guess that's why God says, "Do not fear for I am with you, do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and keep you, I will uphold you with my righteous right arm." And why Jesus says, "Never will I leave you."
Life together - it is truly a gift!
1. I have someone to cook, eat, and clean up dinner with.
2. On his days off (which are usually mid-week days) he can go to the market for me so I don't have to go after a long day of work. woo!
3. He helps me clean my apartment. Note** I clean it weekly, but my roommate doesn't, so cleaning the whole place by myself takes hours and effort (and with only 1 day off a week, I'd rather not spend the whole day cleaning). With 2 people it's much faster! yes!
4. I have someone to ride the bus, taxis, rickshaws, motorbikes, and walk the streets with - not only is that much safer, but much more fun!
5. He can bargain cheaper public transportation prices than I can.
6. I have a co-teacher for the volunteer adult English class I teach at the Bible college once a week. It's so fun to teach together! The students laugh at us every week. :)
7. Hanging out with my male friends is less awkward, and it also opens doors to hang out with more couples, and people in general.
8. I have someone to bake cookies for - who will actually help me eat them. And cook pancakes, french toast, and Mexican food, who actually likes BEANS (sent with love from my parents).
9. I have support, encouragement, affirmation and am being challenged daily to live like Him by someone, in the flesh.
10. I have a friend daily, who I can talk to, laugh with, learn with, grow with, and strive to love this sometimes frustrating and difficult world with.
I am becoming more and more fond of the word "with." I guess that's why God says, "Do not fear for I am with you, do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and keep you, I will uphold you with my righteous right arm." And why Jesus says, "Never will I leave you."
Life together - it is truly a gift!
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